Starlink, Jio satellite internet stuck on security clearance

India's government has stalled security approvals and spectrum allocation for satellite internet services, blocking the commercial launch of licences held by Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite for more than four years, Livemint reports. A government official told the outlet that clearance requires the Prime Minister's Office and home ministry sign-off, citing national security concerns that foreign operators might bypass Indian internet gateways. The operators have completed security trials and given compliance undertakings, but the telecom department has not responded on approval status since early 2025.

Separately, a Bloomberg report cited by The Hindu Business Line on August 20 says Starlink has reapplied to India's space regulator for approval to deploy its satellite constellation, including direct-to-device services. The Livemint report notes that Jio is building a sovereign low-earth orbit satellite constellation of 1,600 satellites, which experts estimate will take about three years to become operational. The government is also working on a proposal to ensure Indian satellite operators get equal coordination rights over orbital slots with foreign constellations.